I love listening to them talk about their work.

They care for those who walk in their doors, for their clients.

They respect them too, even when it would be really tempting to point the finger, or give up on people.

Sometimes they have wins. Other times not so much. Life's complicated. So is helping.

Recently an addition was made to the organisation's values - they added kindness.

Not that it wasn't there already in practice. But it's on the record now, so to speak.

It stems from recognising something of the Christian good news.

After all, Anglicare was founded by Christians wanting to organise doing good for others more formally. In a sense they function as the practical hands of the Anglican church doing good to those in need.

God doesn't help those who help themselves.

Picture those drowning in a sea and imagine God only throwing lifesavers to those treading water. How ridiculous. In past times the prevailing view amongst charities was that it was best to focus attention on the 'deserving' poor. What a naive concept that was!

There's no deserving/undeserving distinction made by Anglicare staff. They don't sit around waiting for bootstrap pullers. They're proactive, persistent, and kind, and I thank God for them.

- courtesy of St Paul's Anglican Church, Katherine.